Reverse mortgage calculator

More information

About the reverse mortgage calculator

This calculator is designed to help you see if using a reverse mortgage could be worthwhile for you. This calculator allows you to:

Explore 'What happens if?' scenarios to see the impact of interest rate and home value assumptions on your home equity

Print the results of this calculator

The instructions set out in this calculator for the making of equity projections have been approved by ASIC for the purposes of s 133DB(1)(a) of the National Credit Act and reg 28LD(2) of the National Credit Regulations.

What is a reverse mortgage?

With a reverse mortgage you borrow money using the equity in your home as security. Interest is typically added to your loan and compounds over time. Repayments are generally not required while you live in your home.

Equity is the part of your home that you own outright; it is the balance you receive after your loan is repaid.

The outstanding loan is the total amount that you owe; it is the total amount borrowed, including the accumulated interest and fees.

The home equity you have in the future will depend on the following factors:

The future value of your home

How much you borrow and when

Interest and fees

How lenders can use the calculator

Lenders who use this calculator must choose their lender institution/products from the drop-down menu at the start of the Calculator. This will:

To update lender limits or include a lender that does not appear in the drop-down menu, please contact Moneysmart feedback.

Disclaimers

The results of this calculator are not advice in relation to a financial product. You should consider obtaining advice from a licensed financial adviser or credit provider before making any financial decisions about a reverse mortgage.

You will need to satisfy the lending criteria of a credit provider to get a reverse mortgage.

Whilst the Commonwealth, represented by ASIC ("ASIC"), is the developer and owner of the Reverse Mortgage Calculator ("Calculator"), the Calculator is available for use by members of the public as well as financial advisers and as such ASIC has no direct control over the results generated by such Calculator. ASIC therefore does not guarantee, and accepts no legal liability whatsoever arising from or connected to, the accuracy, reliability, currency or completeness of any data entered or assumptions inserted when using such Calculator. Users should seek appropriate independent professional advice prior to relying on, or entering into any commitment based on any results generated by the calculator. By entering ASIC's Moneysmart website and by using the Calculator, the user will be deemed to have released and have discharged ASIC, from all liability in respect of any loss suffered as a result of relying on the information generated by the Calculator.

The use of the Calculator by a financial adviser does not constitute an endorsement or a recommendation by ASIC of any products or services or of any third party products or services offered by such financial advisor. ASIC hereby excludes all liability to the extent permissible by law.

Assumptions

Amounts calculated are estimates; you may end up with more or less equity in your home. This is not a prediction or a forecast about interest rates or home values by ASIC. ASIC does not forecast economic or market conditions or regulate residential property markets.

The calculator assumes the following:

Increase/decrease in property value - Your house value is updated each year using the increase/decrease rate entered in the calculator. The calculations assume a constant rate (although in reality this rate will rise and fall). It is safer to enter a conservative property growth rate, especially if you are looking for a reverse mortgage for 5 years or less, as house prices may not increase at all and may even decrease.

Interest rates - Interest rates will remain constant over the life of the loan (although in reality interest rates may fluctuate over time). Financial institutions may calculate interest payments differently, which may vary outcomes. Actual interest rates and fees may vary from those used in this calculator.

Fees - Ongoing fees will remain constant for the life of the loan (although in reality fees may vary over time). Establishment fees are added to the loan.

Outstanding loan - The loan is calculated each month by adding any payments made to the borrower, interest charges and fees to the outstanding loan balance from the previous month. The calculator assumes that no repayments are made during the life of the reverse mortgage.

Home equity remaining - The remaining home equity is calculated by subtracting the outstanding loan from the value of your home.

Negative equity protection - Mortgages taken out on or after 18 September 2012 are subject to negative equity protection. This means that you cannot owe the lender more than the home is worth. If the home is sold the lender must accept the sale proceeds as full settlement of the debt (except in cases of fraud or misrepresentation).

FAQs - frequently asked questions

Q. Can I use this calculator on my phone?

A. Yes, you can use this calculator on your phone. However, due to the amount of information displayed for this calculator, that is not the ideal device to use. For an optimised experience, please use your computer or tablet so you have a bigger screen to analyse the results.

Q. Why doesn't it allow me to enter an age younger than 55?

A: The reverse mortgage calculator will not let you enter an age younger than 55 because most lenders will not offer a reverse mortgage to anyone under this age.

Q: I have entered my details but nothing happens, what do I do next?

A: Use the next button at the bottom of the page to go from one screen to the next.

Q: Can I change the default settings?

A: No, the default settings have been provided by individual lenders offering this product.

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